Pronunciation de Robusto Torocaca - 7.62 NATO x 44mag - Nicaragua puro
We found a few boxes of these in the back of the humidor and the aging is exquisite.
The unusual shape - beginning with a firmly rolled head flowing into an extended body
with a peaked 't' before ending in a rounded foot ("rrro-boost-to") was the rage of
the 80's in Nicaragua (Nica + agua = land of nicotine moisteners).
The cigar lights up with a heavy woody base accented by notes of post-colonialism and
proto-industrialism, with an undertone of mestizo discontent. It burns long, strong,
and deep, with an ash you'd have to hack off with a machete. There may be an awkward
bitter period around mid-cigar, known as Las Sandinistas by the locals, but American
smokers find that if you puff through it, you'll usually be rewarded by a long mellow
phase that gives off lots of coffee, chocolate, bananas and hemp.
There was a time when you couldn't light one of these up in the remotest jungles of
Nicaragua without starting a firefight of controversy. "Rrroboosto" said the Sandinistas.
"Rub-bust-a" said the Delta Force advisors out of Ft. Benning. "Land reform" cried the
Contras, claiming the Sandinistas are worse than the Samosas and overbidders combined.
The battle would rage into the night - "Less filler!" - "Tastes Great!" Until the dawn
rose over bleary eyed figures debating how to get the black mildew out of their travel
humidors and which was the true man's drink: tequila, mezcal or pulque.
A perfect cigar for bypassing congressional mandates, finding innovative financing, or
just those days when you need to sit dowen and forget it all.
